Nissan Leaf Reaches 100,000 Global Sales

Nissan has delivered 100,000 fully electric Leaf hatchbacks

The 100,000th car went to a doctor in Hampshire, England

Nissan says the next 100,000 Leaf units will sell even more quickly

Worried about buying a Nissan Leaf? Don't be. The fully electric hatchback has now found 100,000 buyers across the world, proving that living with an electric car may not be as challenging as you think.

According to Nissan, the 100,000th Leaf sale was recorded earlier this month to Brett Garner, a doctor in Hampshire, England. The milestone vehicle was a 2013 model finished in "Tekna White," which is the U.K. version of the American Leaf's "Pearl White."

To celebrate its 100,000th sale, Nissan created two special Leaf models: one covered in 50,000 2-pence British coins, and the other covered in 50,000 2-cent Euro coins. The special models are intended to demonstrate that the Leaf's running costs are just £0.02 per mile, or ?0.02 per kilometer -- figures that translate to around $0.03 per mile.

The Leaf's milestone achievement came around three years after the plug-in electric hatchback was released. While that's big news for a car that boasts an entirely new powertrain and fueling technology, Nissan says it will sell the next 100,000 Leaf units even faster. Supply was heavily constrained when the Leaf first came out, as the automaker couldn't build the hatchback fast enough to meet consumer demand.

With 100,000 Leafs now on the road -- along with thousands of other plug-in vehicles, such as the Ford Focus Electric, the Tesla Model S and the Chevrolet Volt -- it may be time for shoppers to start easing their concerns about electric-vehicle ownership. With an available charge time of around four hours, the 2014 Leaf can travel roughly 75 miles between charges. That's more than enough distance for most drivers to go about their daily routines.

Of course, many shoppers have already embraced the Leaf's EV technology, and in doing so, they've saved a lot of money. The hatchback can currently be leased for $199 per month after $1,999 down -- an excellent figure made even better by skipping gas stations. The Leaf also doesn't require any oil changes, and it can be charged during off-peak hours when electricity is cheapest.

What it means to you: The Nissan Leaf has found 100,000 buyers across the world, and acceptance is likely to continue growing.

Doug DeMuro
has a wide range of automotive industry experience, from work at a Ferrari dealership to a manager for Porsche North America. A lifelong car enthusiast, Doug's eclectic vehicle purchases include a Porsche 911 Turbo, an E63 AMG wagon, an old Range Rover and a Mercedes Benz G-wagen.